A day after the trade for Justin Upton was completed, the buzz meter barely back to over-the-top, the Braves returned to work Friday. For pitcher Brandon Beachy, that meant another morning of rehabilitation and long toss.

Beachy is seven months removed from elbow reconstruction surgery and on track to return sometime around the All-Star break. His next big step is to begin throwing off a mound, which he likely will do shortly after the Braves begin in spring training.

Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 11.

If it's like all the progress he's made so far, he'll just keep "easing along." But Beachy also knows getting back on the mound — even while throwing at about 50 percent effort at first — might feel a little awkward.

"It's kind of learning how to throw again," Beachy said. "Getting my body to become in sync has been a little trying at times, where it just doesn't feel natural. I'm sure I'm going to go through that on the mound. So I'm excited to get on there and then at the same time, I'm like 'Ah, I know I'm going to be frustrated at times,' and I'm not looking forward to that feeling."